Amanda Jane

(whit and amanda, circa. 2001)

This very second Amanda Jane is driving with her husband and 3 kids to Nebraska, where Nic will attend law school for 3 years. Last night nate and I went over to say goodbye around 11pm. Nate ate half of a chocolate cake (because it was his half burfday), and I put a pepperoni pizza in the oven (because it was amanda's full birthday). It was our attempt at a birthday goodbye party. Babies were passed around. Wishes were made. Antique candle holders were given. Fish gurgled. Pop culture was discussed. And pizza was served.

I will miss late-nite parties with the Russells, even if a party at their house consists of just the 4 of us, (or just the 3 of us in bed with onion rings). I already hate that Amanda and Nic are not just a bike ride through the golf course anymore. And that I can't burn Ruby and Scarlett Hannah Montana CD's, promise to take them to see Bolt, and sit by a roaring fire with them while Ruby proclaims "this is the funnest I've ever had!".

Last night, when I came home, I was looking through an old scrap book for pictures of Amanda and I and came across a little note Nic had written for me one night. It said "WHITNEY- WHEN IN DOUBT AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO POUT, COME TO THE RUSSELLS'  -WE <3 U, NIC & AMANDA **SEASON PASS** GOOD TIL 2006". It was laminated with tape.  I remember sitting on the floor of their first apartment in AF on this particular night when the note was written, feeling sad and distressed about something, but after talking and being with the Russells feeling lots better. Well that pass has gone to good use. And even before this note was written, Amanda is the one I always go to when I'm in doubt and want to pout. Last night I sat and remembered countless times when I have been down and glum and gone to chit-chat with the Russells, and have left feeling happy and loved, even well beyond when this "season pass" expired. I don't know what I'll do without them.

I love Amanda so much. A lot has transpired in the past 10 years, but I can still call her out of the blue, and just by how I say hello she knows what is up with me. It's freaky.

It's like the time during a texting conversation she wrote:

"what are you guys doing tonight? hanging out at kohlers by the bin candy?"

and at that exact moment, I kid you not, I was staring down peach-rings and jelly-bellies in the Kohler's bin candy aisle! ...no one else was in the store.

I don't know how she does what she does, knows the things she knows, and remembers the things she remembers (her brain astounds us all), or how she can still say the funniest things I have ever heard ever, every time I'm around her. You think you'd build up an immunity after 10+ years.

Happy Birthday, Amanda Jane! Happy move to Omaha! Here's to being a fruit and a renegade! See you at Mt Rushmore!